Top Global University Project （Type B） The University of Aizu

1. Outline

[ Project outline ]

Under the leadership of the university president,a promotion committee (committee for promotionof the project) was established. The committeemembers are composed of faculty andadministrative staff from all departments,divisions and centers. Furthermore, an evaluationcommittee (committee for evaluation of theproject) was established. Most of these membersare from regional communities and industries.This committee evaluates the direction, progress,and effects of the project implementation, anddirectly sends feedback to the promotioncommittee.

In addition, four committees were establishedcorresponding to the four Basic Programs. Eachregent of our university serves as the head of acommittee. Furthermore, four working groups(WG) were established for the four SpecialPrograms. The members of these groups mainlyconsist of faculty, administrative staff, students,and employees of regional companies andventure businesses.

[ Implementation system ]

Fostering Global ICT Innovators through the Combined Effects of Spirit, Technology, and Adaptability【 Name of project 】

【 Future vision of the university planned in the TGU project 】The purpose of the proposal is to establish an environment, as a leading university in the ICT field, that continues topromote global education while taking into account practices in global education that have been continuing since thefoundation of the university over 20 years ago. In order to achieve the goal mentioned above, the following three mainconcepts are principally utilized in this project.(1) “Spirit”: Develop entrepreneurship through ICT innovation in order to play a leading role in the world.(2) “Technology”: Foster strong competitiveness in ICT design, development, and application skills.(3) “Adaptability”: Increase multicultural understanding, idea design, team coordination, and leadership skills.Based on these three concepts, the university will produce excellent talent playing leading roles in the world, working

for regional companies or ventures. By doing this, the university will contribute to the development of regional industryand post-disaster revitalization. In addition, the university will enhance its hub function in the international ICT field toact as a gateway bridging this region to the rest of the world.

【 Summary of the Project 】Through the development of a multicultural campus under the three-part concept of Spirit, Technology, and

Adaptability, this project aims to create ICT innovators who can and will succeed on the world stage. The University ofAizu, a public university specialized in the ICT field, is dedicated to becoming a model advanced university. Theconcept of “Spirit, Technology, and Adaptability” represents the three elements essential to future ICT specialists.“Spirit” refers to the will to create innovation that reaches out worldwide. “Technology” refers to the highly-competitivetechnical skillset enabling one to design, develop, and innovate. “Adaptability” refers to the ability to adapt to andintegrate into a multi-cultural environment.

To foster specialists with the ability of “ Spirit,Technology, and Adaptability”, reform will becarried out with four Basic Programs under theuniversity president’s leadership. At the sametime, “Special Programs” based on faculty andstaff proposals will be implemented in parallel asa means of improving the motivation of facultymembers and staff.

【Summary of the 10-year plan】Based on our potential for internationalization, and on problems recognized from past experiences, UoA has already

started a reformation process. We will continue the reforms to realize a multicultural campus that fosters ICT talent.

[ 10-year schedule ]

【Featured initiatives (Internationalization, University reform, Education reform)】The four “Basic Programs” are designed based on our experience of global ICT education. Further, the “Special

Programs” aim to solve issues by supplementing the basic programs, such as by strengthening the function of theOffice for Learning Support, and by creating English classes for administrative staff members, etc.

<Four Basic Programs>1. “Creation of an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate School Honors Program.” This program, through improvementof the curriculum composition, will realize consistency between the undergraduate and graduate programs, and allow aflexible course-taking path.2. “Creation of a Leading-Edge ICT Global Program.” This program will allow undergraduate students to enroll at ouruniversity and take all courses using only English, as is currently possible with the graduate school.3. “Technical Innovation/Foundation for Creation of Overseas Training Courses.” This program will provide project-based learning and business-creation education to foster students’ entrepreneurship using high-tech skills.4. “Improvement of Governance and Globalization.” This program aims to increase the level of internationalization andwork efficiency of all faculty members and administrative staff.

Additionally, in order to promote students’ proactive participation in these programs, a “Challenger Badge” systemwill be introduced as a means of evaluating and encouraging students who have participated in these programs.Furthermore, students who have achieved superior results in the previously-mentioned activities will obtain “SpecialChallenger” certification. The system will help faculty, staff, and students work together to create a multiculturalcampus.

[ UoA’s characteristics and university goals]

Internationalization■ Common indicators and targets2. FY2014 Progress

A committee (committee II) was established for developing the ICT GlobalProgram, which allows students to earn all the credits required for graduation inEnglish. The main topics in this committee include student recruiting methods,admission system design, English-only curriculum development, and life support forstudents. To recruit excellent students, the members visited overseas universitiessuch as Chinese and Vietnamese universities and built partnerships with them. 3rd-year transfer students are scheduled to be accepted from partner universities fromFall AY2016. Acceptance of 1st-year students will start from Spring AY2017.

Overview of the ICT Global Program

A. Eligible individuals: Students capableof taking classes entirely taught in English

B. Schedule of enrollment: Acceptance of3rd year transfer and 1st year students

C. Entrance examinations: adoptinginternational standards.

Features of ICT Global Program

• Students can learn about traditionalJapanese culture and the culture of Aizu.

• Students can study at the UoA usingonly English.

• Students can obtain more opportunitiesfor overseas study and internships.

• Students can earn a Bachelor's andMaster's degree through the HonorsProgram, a coherent five-year program.

ICT Global Program: All credits required for graduation can be earned in English.-> It improves the UoA's diversity and international openness, and supports study abroad

University reformInvestigations and discussion regarding governance reform→ Innovation to promote making quick administrative decisions, to hire staff having an international outlook, and toincrease the ability of administrative staff

Under the President's leadership, the University of Aizu has started various meetings like weekly Directors Meetings, whereexecutives and managers including foreign faculty participate. A management system has been created for faculty membersand staff to share the President's intensions and make quick decisions.

Education reformA coherent five-year program, namely the Honors Program, will be established to improve our university.→ To improve our education level, promote students’ self-directed learning, and increase international openness.→ To assure the international commonality of the educational program and to provide diversity of academic path.

To establish the program, the number of courses taught in English will beincreased. Furthermore, we will establish courses for international studentslearning about Japanese and Aizu culture in English. In addition, Japaneselanguage courses are designed to help students smoothly adapt to living in Japan.

Before starting the program, some discussions have been undergoing such asevaluation standard of English ability, international standards and external examsfor admission, online admission system, and recruiting of excellent students.Moreover, to sufficiently handle the increased number of students, studentsupport methods were discussed, such as tuition exemption and scholarships forinternational students, as well as the issue of student dormitories.

In order to promote further internationalization of the University of Aizu, the Governance Improvement Committee (CommitteeIV) was established in FY2014. It worked to tackle problems regarding the governance function and the duties of facultymembers and staff. These problems were separated into three categories: problems where a policy had been set, those thathave been solved, and those still being discussed. In particular, the following work was carried out in FY2014: 1) Enhancingefficiency of administration by improving the spoken English of admin. staff, 2) Adding English evaluations in new staffemployment, and 3) Promoting a paperless office to improve resource saving.

The Honors Program integrating the undergraduate and graduate schools is aspecialized program for talented students. This program offers the bachelordegree and master’s degree in five years. Students who join the program willbe able to participate in long-term internships at venture companies and/orstudy abroad at foreign institutions during their academic enrollment term. Thisinitiative will foster students’ entrepreneurship and improve their ICT skills.

The Honors Program committee (Committee I) was established in FY 2014.The main work in FY 2015 is to create a practical regulation system and todecide on an applicant screening method for the program.

To help students earn master’s degrees in only 5 years, Project-BasedLearning (PBL) and Active Learning will be introduced as part of an effort toincrease and secure high-quality learning hours.

Furthermore, to offer students a wide variety of opportunities in a shorter periodof time, Committee I started discussion on establishment of a student supportsystem. This initiative includes, for instance, introducing students to internshipsin companies, assigning students to laboratories at an earlier period, andoffering official permission for extracurricular activities during lecture hours.

The current undergraduate school uses thesemester system, but the graduate schooluses the quarter system. The separatedsystems limit students from earning credits,even though undergraduate students can takecourses at the graduate school.

To facilitate a coherent academic termsystem into both undergraduate and graduateschools, we started discussion onimplementation of the quarter system in theundergraduate school.

Meanwhile, curriculum renewal wasconducted to meet the ACM and IEEEComputer Society’s international standards aswritten in CSC 2013, the CurriculumGuidelines for Undergraduate DegreePrograms in Computer Science.

Obtain certification of “Talented Students”

Obtain more experiencein a shorter time

Obtain more supportto improve skills

Obtain qualificationof “Honors”

Honors Program

Honor QualificationSupportOpportunity

■ The university’s own indicators and targets

A. Challenger Badge System B. Special Challenger Qualification

C. Project related to support for revitalization

In order to conduct revitalization support activities in a systematicand continuous manner, the necessary environment has beenprovided to conduct and promote advanced ICT research.Revitalization projects have been conducted for the nurturing of ICTspecialists.

Students from the “Aizu Entrepreneurs Club” andWorkshops for Start-up Ventures have made andimplemented proposals aiming at the rejuvenation ofFukushima and the Aizu region.

Our faculty members visited Myanmar,China, Nigeria, Vietnam, etc. to provideeducation support to foreign universities.

F. Students who participated in study abroad programs and overseas internship programs

D. Participation in business idea contests

G. Education support in ICT developing countries

In FY 2014, the basic platform for Challenger Badge developmentwas introduced. In FY 2015, education requirements and systemdesign will be discussed and proceeded. The capability of studentsqualified as Special Challengers and qualification requirements willbe discussed as one of the new internal systems.

Features of Challenger Badge SystemThis system will record students participating in multicultural

activities conducted on and off campus. The system will helpstudents acquire, record and display their badges, which canincrease students’ motivation to participate in relevant activities andencourage them to realize their individual aptitude.

Dinner with host-family in NZ

18 students registered for “GlobalExperience Gateway,” an intensive Englishlanguage course for students to earn creditsby participating in short-term study abroadprograms, etc. In addition, some studentsparticipated in two/three-month studyabroad programs (USA and New Zealand).The student team “SpiritualDB” won the grand prize at

“JPHACKS” in 2014, an event organized by theUniversity of Tokyo.

One of our student teams, “AizukkYYY” participated inthe Asia Regional Contest of ACM-ICPC and placedeighth in 2014.

A non-profit organization organized mainly byUoA students has introduced Fukushima foodproducts by cooking dishes using recipes fromdifferent countries.

A team composed of Japanese and internationalstudents worked to spread information on thecharms of “Nakagoya” (a community in Minami-Aizu-machi) through working on several differentevents together with members of the community.

■ Featured initiatives based on characteristics of the university

Entrepreneurial Aspirations through ICT Innovation

Ability in ICT Design, Development, and Application

Adaptability to multicultural environments

Established “Global Lounge” wherestudents, faculty members, and staffcan enjoy communication in Englishfreely for removing language barrierbetween international students andJapanese students.

Universities in Silicon Valley (USA) andin Dalian (China) have been shortlistedas candidate hub sites of the Universityof Aizu. Short-term education programsand internships may be realized inSilicon Valley.

Strengthen students’design and developmentabilities by offering newcourses and existingProject-Based Learning(PBL) courses.

A hotline seminar washeld with Silicon ValleyJapanese EntrepreneurNetwork in the USA todiscuss internships andthe latest technologies.

Curriculum revision was discussed sothat students enrolled in AY 2016 orlater can take a new curriculum, incompliance with the CSC 2013 standardset by ACM & IEEE Computer Society.

A multiculturalexchange partywas held and it wascarried out inEnglish.

Faculty members andstaff visited one of thecandidate hubs in SiliconValley, USA.

The Honors Program aims to supporttalented students. The students canacquire more advanced skills byenhancing their individuality andimproving their professional skills.

Silicon Valley is expected to hostshort-term internships in FY 2015 as atrial basis. Students will acquirebusiness-creation experience throughthe internships and entrepreneurialcourses.

An international environment hasbeen facilitated on campus to promoteproactive interaction betweeninternational faculty members/studentsand Japanese facultymembers/students.

We are continually discussingrevisions to the curriculum system andopening new courses, etc., so as tooffer professional learning at aninternationally leading level.

SGU website of UoAwas constructed to postSGU-related activities,information of entranceexams, etc.

From the Aizu Region to the World / From the World to the Aizu Region

Nurturing Innovative ICT Talent

E. Activities for regional community rejuvenation

Internationalization

■ Common indicators and targets

１． Establishment of the Entrance Examination Scheme for the Advanced ICT Global ProgramThree types of entrance examination scheme were newly established for the Advanced ICT Global Program. Outline for

selection of students was released, targeting for applicants of the AY2016-fall admission. These admission scheme accommodate diverse admission by installing international standard such as SAT and IELTS. Prior to acceptance of international students to the all English program in the AY2016-fall term, faculty members who will be in charge of classes in English; mainly about the Strongly Recommended Courses, were selected. This initiative is for course design which enables students to take all credits in English required for graduation from the first year undergraduate to their graduation. Meanwhile, for international students who will be transferred to the 3rd year undergraduate, we worked on academic credit transfer.

２． Partnership Program with Universities AbroadBetween Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Neusoft Institute of Information, agreement was made for the

enrollment scheme from designated schools under the scheme of 2+2 Undergraduate Program; a 3-year-undergraduate transfer program for students from partner universities.

３． International Student RecruitmentIn regards to recruitment of international students, PR campaigns were carried out toward foreign universities by our foreign

faculty members and international students. Taking various opportunities, global PR was conducted widely. In particular, under alliance with educational institutions in the northeast China, top-level high schools were visited. Furthermore, international recruitment was organized proactively by hosting the “University of Aizu International PR Session” and the “Computer Contest” in Shenyang, China.

４． Establishment of the Preparatory Office for the Establishment of Bases in Silicon ValleyIn January, the preparatory office was settled. In the University of Aizu, this international site will be used for

implementation of overseas training program and remote classes. In addition, information on the University of Aizu will be delivered through the office. Exchanges and collaboration with neighbor universities is planned to be widened, too.

University reform

１． Initiatives Related to Administrative Efficiency and ImprovementSince last fiscal year, paperless meeting style has been adopted to internal meetings. The budget management support

system was developed and installed for faculty members. Based on questionnaires implemented to all faculty members, the result appeared to show requests on administrative efficiency and improvement.

２． English classes for administrative staff13 personnel joined the lesson in the first term, and 2 classes were held for 15 personnel in the second term. Upon start

and end of the English course, achievement-check test was placed. All participants showed increase of their English level. On the other hand, the “Lunch Meeting” which is a English class initiated by administrative staff themselves were held on every Friday. Moreover, taking opportunities for international business trip, administrative staff hired by the University ofAizu Public University Corporation were sent abroad.

３． Deliberation on Efforts for Structural Improvement As internal effort for improving structure of the University of Aizu, deliberation was promoted in terms of 1) increase of the

ratio of female to male faculty member, 2) installation of annual salary system, and 3) sophistication of administrative personnel.

Education reform

１． Implementation of the Quarter SystemStarting from FY2016, the Undergraduate School will adopt the quarter system. By this transform, integrity between the

Undergraduate and Graduate School will be tightened. The quarter system has been implemented at the Graduate School ever since the foundation of the University of Aizu. Furthermore, the academic administrative system was updated along with the quarter system.

２． The Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Honors ProgramThe course merits was arranged, and method of student assessment, new courses, examples of course registration, and

support menu were deliberated. As part of support for students in the honors program, preparation of “honors maker room” is in progress. It will be newly established in FY2017.

３． Development of challenger badge system Basic feature of the challenger badge system was designed and developed. Utilizing demo system, test was conducted by

students, faculty members, and ventures.

3. FY2015 Progress

■ Featured initiatives based on the characteristics of the university

１． The Top Global University SymposiumFor two days from March 10 to 11, the Top Global University Symposium was held under the title of "Creating ICT innovators

and entrepreneurs who can and will succeed on the world stage." In total, 210 individuals participated in those two days. In this event, speeches by presidents from foreign/domestic universities were offerred. Achievement presentations and a panel discussion by four science engineering universities adopted by the Top Global University policy, presentation on ICT ventures by graduates from the University of Aizu, and international panel discussion for global human resources were also placed. In addition to the symposium, exchange activities with partner universities and other establishments were held.

２． World Culture FairInternational students and foreign faculty members’ family from 8 countries coordinated the booth to introduce cultures of

their mother countries. We had 250 visitors. In this occasion, collecting series of stamps and face painting and other various activities were held. Faculty members of the University of Aizu held a report presentation on support for ICT education in the development countries such as Vietnam, Nigeria, and Myanmar.

３． PRThe website was largely renewed. Pamphlets and leaflets were prepared in English and Chinese. Topics were provided to

the press, and press inquiries were proactively handled.

■ Free description

In this fiscal year, securement of the global admission system and finalization of introduction of the quartersystem were worked on in various aspects of internationalization and diversity of educational structure at theUniversity of Aizu.

Overall circumstance is that almost all things are going well as planned. The base was created firmly for practicalsteps in the following years.

■ University’s own indicators and targets

１． New establishment of entrepreneurial courses and implementation of remote Hotline seminarICT Global Venture Factory was newly established as an entrepreneurial course for the Graduate School. Preparation has

been done for its opening in AY2016. The remote Hotline seminar with the silicon valley was held regularly (once a month.) Through that, information on the edgy technologies and business were exchanged.

２． Implementation of Training in Silicon ValleyAs a model of international internship, the summer training was done in Silicon Valley. This training was formed under

collaboration with Aizu-Wakamatsu City Municipal and the University of Aizu originated IT ventures. It was held in the HackerDojo, Silicon Valley for two weeks from September 13 to 27. Four graduates from the University of Aizu were participated. Contents included integration of software and hardware. IoT-related prototyping development was mainly featured, and presentation of developed products were implemented, as well. In addition, site visits were conducted to Stanford University, renowned companies, various facilities, startups, and investment companies.

３． Implementation of Fukushima Revitalization Support ProgramFrom August 31 to September 8 2015, the Fukushima Revitalization Support Program was taken place. 5 students from

Neusoft Institute of Information (China), 4 students from Taiyuan University of Technology (China), 1 student from Tam Kang University (Taiwan), and 4 students from the University of Aizu participated in it. In this program, four themes were brought out 1) Uniqueness of Aizu and Learning about Design-thinking, 2) Revitalization with ICT, 3) Circumstance learning about the victimized area, and 4) Creation of Fukushima’s uniqueness. Exchange of students was deepened with partner universities and institutions abroad. Taking such opportunities, uniqueness of Fukushima prefecture and the University of Aizu were promoted toward international society.